Hoping for a bit of Black Flag in our Unity.
Gamescom is almost here! IGN is going to have comprehensive coverage coming straight from Germany all week long, including an extensive live show, hands-on impressions with all the hottest games, and plenty more. We're going to have new details on dozens of big games - this is just one of the 9 massive games of Gamescom:Since E3, Ubisoft’s campaign has focused on shedding a bit of light on Unity’s world and story. We know that our hero is a French-born man named Arno, that he has a Templar love interest named Elise, and that the game will feature historical figures such as Napoleon Bonaparte and Marie Antoinette. We also know that Unity isn't the only major Assassin's Creed game coming out this fall. The question is, where does Ubisoft go from here?
What we hope to see at Gamescom: So far, everything we’ve seen of Unity has pointed towards a gritty, realistic, and bloody tale of redemption and revolution, which makes sense considering the setting. However, one of the reasons that 2013’s Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag resonated so well with most players was that it veered off in quite a different direction than the series is known for. Black Flag encouraged you to wander off the beaten path and engage in all manner of side quests and distractions that were wacky, entertaining, and most of all, fun.
At Gamescom, I hope to see Ubisoft showcase a balance between the dark tones of the French Revolution, and the sense of fun and adventure that they captured in Black Flag. Instead of being forced to play Unity the “way it’s meant to be played,” I hope that the game opens up and embraces player expression and creativity. If Ubisoft can pull this off on top of the undeniably gorgeous presentation and staggering scale, Unity could be something very special.
